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Michael Jackson has been gone a year. He was the best live performance I
ever saw in my life. I've seen Elvis, Sinatra, Springsteen, Aretha, the Eagles,
Garth,
James Brown, Chicago,
Liza with a Z. I never saw an entertainer who gave more on stage than
Michael Jackson. When he passed away a year ago this week I got out the Thriller
cd to play for my daughters. I told them that Thriller had sold over 32 million
and was the biggest commercial success in recorded music history. They fell in
love with the music. It is strange how some music is timeless. I look as music
being one of the blessings of life. I don't know anyone who doesn't love some
kind of music. Can you think of anyone? I remember
Sunday mornings and watching the Gospel
Jubilee. I loved the energy of the music. I always have loved
Southern Gospel music since
I first heard it as a boy. Our neighbor Dorothy Hughes was also a big fan of
Southern Gospel music. I remember hearing the Sego Brothers and Naomi singing
Sorry, I Never Knew You coming from Mrs. Hughes' radio on Joe Rumore's show on
WVOK out of Birmingham. I lived for a while in
Asheville, North Carolina and our station was the most listened to in the
market
on Sunday morning because of a show called Gospel Hymn Time hosted by
Dave Hogan. The
Asheville Civic Center would sell out for three events back then.
Elvis Presley, wrestling
with Wahoo McDanial and Ric Flair on the card, and concerts that starred
Asheville's Kingsmen, and Bryson City's Inspirations. I was lucky enough to have
been friends with Howard and
Vestal Goodman. I still love to watch the
Bill Gaither gatherings of
a few years back and see Sister Vestal sing
Looking For A City. I used to get phone calls from Jess and Betty Jo
Newman
on Saturday nights making sure I had it tuned in. I remember watching
Gospel music
on Sunday evenings on Channel 5 with the LeFevres. Rex Nelon would hit
those low bass notes and rattle the speaker on our Sylvania black and white
television set. Urias, Uncle Alphus, Pierce, Mylon, and Eva Mae would harmonize
and it was impossible to not have a smile when they performed on television. I
got to know Eva Mae through my emceeing duties with the
Georgia Music Hall of Fame. She was an absolute delight. She died last
year at the age of 91. In 1997 Eva Mae was inducted into the
Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. My grandmother's favorite pianists
were Eva Mae LeFevre, Liberace
and that guy on the
Lawrence Welk Show.
This September the Georgia Music Hall of Fame will induct the
Black Crows and
India Arie. Ms. Arie's
vocal coach is Jan Smith from
Atlanta. Jan and I were on
the Atlanta board of the Recording Academy. Jan's latest coaching efforts have
paid off big time for teen heart throb Justin Beiber. The fact that I know
Justin Beiber's vocal coach has given my life validity in the eyes of my
daughters. My kids know every song on his latest compact disc. I am looking
forward to next weekend and the celebration of our nation's birthday. I wonder
if anyone can find a copy of Irving Berlin's God Bless America? I discovered an
interesting fact on the 17th. Former Speaker of the House and professor at West
Georgia Newt Gingrich and singer-songwriter
Barry Manilow were born on the same day. One of them writes the songs and
the other tries to right the wrongs. I hope all you dads out there had as good a
Father's Day as I had. Presley and Callie took me to Papous Pizza last
Sunday. Why is it a kid would eat pizza breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Presley
Frances Jones celebrates her 8th birthday
this Wednesday. We are looking forward to spending the
4th of July holiday weekend in Tallapoosa. The 4th of July parade is
on Saturday the 3rd. I plan on finding a nice shade tree on Bowdon Street
to watch the celebration. The heat goes on. Our friend Ken Cook at Fox 5 assured
me the other day that the 90 degree plus heat will break by Thanksgiving. |
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